Recurring blocked milk ducts

Jo I found the best way to clear blocked ducts is latch your child onto the lumpy breast with their chin towards the lump so that as that suck the chin massages the lump while their suckling draws out the milk.

My blockages were always above the nipple and often towards the cleavage so I would lie against pillows and DH would help me place Michaela on my chest with her head pointed towards my waist and her legs over my shoulder so her chin was right on the lump.  It worked wonders!

Good luck!  I know how sore it can be. 

Make sure you monitor your temp too because the minute you get feverish you've developed mastitis and you have to get to your docs and get some antibiotics.

I think they were worse around 8-10 weeks (when my milk had come in full force but Michaela wasn't feeding as much anymore).  I fed Michaela until she was 15mo.  The important thing is to find the best way to clear the blocks, once you can do that you won't be in pain anymore. 

 

IMO babies are the best thing ever for getting milk out of breasts so if you can get him positioned to massage the lump and suck at the same time he will clear the block for you.  You can also massage the lump while he suckles if this is easier for you.  It might take a couple of feeds and initially it will hurt as he rubs the lump.  Also remember to express off the otherside too to ensure that side doesn't get engorged.

I have no experience of this but my friend was having a similiar problem and plunket suggested she get her bra's checked for the correct fitting. Once she got new bra's she stopped having the problem. So maybe you could get fitted just to make sure that's not the cause.
Hope it gets better for you.

Yes I had this problem too, generally the same side everytime and I would blister as well as we would then latch incorrectly sometimes and it hurt like......to feed. I'm lucky that I've only had 2 in the last 3 months. I would often try the shower and massage thing before a feed, or alternatively sit there with a as hot as you can handle flannel on to soften up the area - and in my case break the blister to relieve the pressure. I know the relief from sucking that blockage out is great so definately the advise from the other mums. I would get the block in the quadrant closest to my arm pit so a little harder to angle. Now days I always feed that side first - and roughly time how long he feeds (10 mins now) and then he gets the other side and it seems to have helped.

Oh and I would often take pain killers if I was so sore that I would cringe holding him against me often 10 - 15 minutes before a feed